WHATSTHATFISH
Sea slugs & snails

Ringed Sap-sucking Slug

Plakobranchus ocellatus

Also known as: Ocellated Plankobrunchus, Sacoglossan, Sap Sucker, Solar-powered Sea Slug

Adult
@Rshart · Green Island (Great Barrier Reef), Australia · September 20121 / 2
01

Overview

Found singly or in large groups, during the day amongst shallow patches of rubble and sand, over lagoons, pools, coral and rocky reefs rich in algae. Varies in colour and pattern.
Depth - Shallow

Opisthobranchia - Nudibranchs - Sea Slugs meaning "naked gills" are molluscs without a hard shell.
All opisthobranchs are hermaphrodites.
These beautiful slugs are usually brilliantly coloured and this in itself can act as a deterrent against predators. Some sea slugs secrete acid from stinging cells in their tentacles while others secrete acid from cells in their mantle.
Nudibranchs are slow moving, can swim or be propelled along either by muscular contraction or by millions of tiny hairs on the bottom of a fleshy 'foot', they have a voracious appetite and feed with a rasp like tongue.
Nudibranch lay their eggs in a ribbon effect on the sand, in different colours depending on species.

02

How to identify

Pattern
ringsspots

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found singly or in large groups, during the day amongst shallow patches of rubble and sand, over lagoons, pools, coral and rocky reefs rich in algae.

04

Adult photos 2

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. familyElysiidae
    2. genusPlakobranchus
    3. speciesPlakobranchus ocellatus van Hasselt, 1824

    SourcesWoRMSSea Slug Forum

    06

    More in the family

    Sapsucking Slugs (Elysiidae)